Zone
Oklahoma

Crash of a Swearingen SA26AT Merlin IIB in Ardmore

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1993 at 1645 LT
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA26T Merlin II
Operator:
James B. Heth
Registration:
N34UA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lindale - Ardmore
MSN:
T26-145
YOM:
1969
Location:
Ardmore
Oklahoma
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
42000
Captain / Total hours on type:
25.00
Circumstances:
During a missed approach the airplane lost power to both engines. The pilot selected the only area available to land. The terrain was marked by trees, fences, and rising terrain. Prior to the missed approach the airplane had landed at another airport in the same town. The purpose of the flight was to ferry the airplane to a facility to repair a fuel leak in the wing.
Probable cause:
Pilot's failure to refuel and fuel exhaustion. Factors were a fuel leak in the wing and unsuitable terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-25 Marquise near Post Oak: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1979 at 0555 LT
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
Turbine Aircraft Parts
Registration:
N234MA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Jackson - Ardmore
MSN:
252
YOM:
1973
Location:
Post Oak
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
11274
Captain / Total hours on type:
1045.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a flight from Jackson, Mississippi, to Ardmore, Oklahoma, the twin engine airplane lost height then entered a dive and crashed near Post Oak. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and subsequent uncontrolled collision with ground due to pilot physical impairment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Blood alcohol level 1,7‰,
- The pilot did not sleep for 48 hours,
- Autopilot on,
- Hyperactive dog aboard.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-188C Electra in Ardmore: 83 killed

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1966 at 2030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-188 Electra
Operator:
Registration:
N183H
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Monterey - Ardmore - Columbus
MSN:
1136
YOM:
1961
Flight number:
AFA280D
Location:
Ardmore
Oklahoma
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
93
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
83
Captain / Total flying hours:
16247
Captain / Total hours on type:
1247.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
12355
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1155
Aircraft flight hours:
4019
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Monterey Airport, California, on a charter flight to Columbus, Georgia, with an intermediate stop at Ardmore Municipal Airport, Oklahoma, carrying 93 US soldiers and a crew of five on behalf of the Military Air Command. Following an uneventful flight from Monterey, the crew started the descent to Ardmore Municipal Airport by night and marginal weather conditions. An ADF instrument approach to runway 08 was abandoned and the crew decided to follow a visual approach to runway 30. While descending to runway 30 in poor visibility, the captain (also PIC) suffered a heart attack. The aircraft commenced an uncontrolled descent slightly banked to the right until it struck the ground and disintegrated about 1,5 mile short of runway 30. All five crew members and 75 passengers were killed while 18 others were seriously injured. Few hours later, three of the survivors died from their injuries.
Probable cause:
The Board determined the probable cause of this accident was the incapacitation, due to a coronary insufficiency, of the pilot-in-command at a critical point during visual, circling approach being conducted under instrument flight conditions. The Board was concerned by the fact that the pilot-in-command has an established medical history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, both of which are disqualifying for the issuance of a first-class medical certificate, and that he deliberately falsified his application for this certificate.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049E Super Constellation in Ardmore

Date & Time: Sep 20, 1965 at 0040 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
N9719C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4574
YOM:
1955
Location:
Ardmore
Oklahoma
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10020
Captain / Total hours on type:
1670.00
Circumstances:
The crew obtained a special ferry permit to fly to Ardmore Airport with one engine inoperative. After touchdown on a wet runway, the airplane encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest into a ditch. All three crew members were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, it was dark with a limited visibility due to fog. It was reported that between 1855LT and 0040LT, 0,61 inch of rain fell at Ardmore Airport.
Probable cause:
The airplane suffered hydroplaning on a wet runway and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- poorly planned approach,
- misused or failed to use flaps,
- thrust unable to reverse,
- low ceiling,
- rain falls,
- restricted vision due to a dirty windshield.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar in Hagerstown

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
51-7995
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Ardmore - Hagerstown
MSN:
10734
YOM:
1951
Location:
Hagerstown
Maryland
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
13
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Hagerstown-Washington County Airport, the Flying Boxcar was a bit too low and landed few yards short of runway threshold. When it struck the concrete runway, the undercarriage were sheared off. The airplane skidded on the runway, eventually veered off and came to rest in flames. While all 13 crew members evacuated safely, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Too low approach on part of the flying crew.

Crash of a Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan in Ardmore

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan
Operator:
Registration:
42-36830
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Ardmore - Fort Still
MSN:
4390
YOM:
1943
Location:
Ardmore
Oklahoma
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed 75 yards from the runway. All four occupants were injured, one of them seriously.
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